As she reflected on the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society's first 100 years, Lynne Williams smiled and quipped that current members have a lot to live up to.

"Our programming has grown from milk stations to this comprehensive clinic," said Williams, current president of the society's board. "It's amazing that women in 1916 have set the stage for what it is today."

Founded in 1916, the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society is celebrating 100 years. The nonprofit organization sponsors the IWS Children's Clinic, which provides medical, dental and behavioral health services to children in need.

"We have all that under one roof. That integration of care is really ideal," said Peggy LaFleur, the executive director of the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society. "Once you have this core set of children, then you realize there are so many aspects to their health you could be taking care of."

Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare / Handout

A baby is given an examination in this 1929 photo provided by the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society.

A baby is given an examination in this 1929 photo provided by the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society. (Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare / Handout)

In celebration and recognition of the centennial, a block party was held in May for clinic patients and their families, and a celebratory dinner will be held in September at the Oak Park Country Club.

Society historian Beth McBride said the nonprofit's history dates back to 1900. As Chicago's population exceeded 1 million people, a limited number of hospital beds were designated for children. In 1902, after hearing of a father carrying his infant son from hospital to hospital seeking care before the boy ended up dying in his arms, the Chicago Women's Club was outraged and moved to act.

At that time, so many children died of curable diseases, "and a lot of it had to do with milk," McBride said.

Seeking help from doctors, the women organized milk stations throughout the city where mothers could get clean milk for their babies for free or very little money. In January 1916, the Oak Park River Forest station of the Infant Welfare Society was established; later, the group separated from Chicago and became its own organization.

In 1919, a dietitian joined the Oak Park station staff, and care for pregnant women and children up to 6 years old was added. A psychiatric social worker was hired in 1925. In 1937, immunizations began being offered.

From 1925 to 1980, the society's station was located at the Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery property on Randolph Street. In 1997, the society moved into its current space at 320 Lake St., where it has flourished.

The society had a budget of $113,000 in 1997; today, it's $2.3 million, said Peggy LaFleur, the society's executive director. The clinic services about 3,500 children from more than 50 communities, with more than 10,000 visits per year.

The clinic, which serves children from birth to age 18, offers affordable medical care, but even if families can't afford to pay, they won't be turned away, LaFleur said.

"It's a real important safety net," she said.

Mary Anderson, a past president of the board and chairperson for the 100th anniversary events, said one of the society's mantras has been to treat patients with respect, and make them feel special and welcome at the clinic.

"It's all about the kids," Anderson said.

Because many of the clinic's patients come in afraid of medical or dental care, it's important that staff put the children at ease and encourage them to come back, LaFleur said.

"This is such an important service for these children," Williams said.

As society members and staff look to the future, they said the society will continue to focus on the clinic, but also mentioned plans to explore development of other programs and partnerships with fellow community organizations.

"First of all, we know the need's great," Williams said of the future. "We do the health, the mental health and all, but we're really making a difference in these children's lives."

The society, organized by groups called circles that fundraise and volunteer, recently opened membership to males, and now has 20 men among its 200 members.

A recently awarded grant will allow the clinic to create two high-needs dental suites used to serve children with autism, Down syndrome or other special needs, LaFleur said. Pet therapy is being incorporated, and the society is in talks with the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry to be a distributor for surplus, LaFleur said.

"We want to be known as the homiest medical home," LaFleur said.

Having worked in public health for 10 years, Wanda Laszcz, the clinic's director of oral health, said the clinic is unique in that it focuses on prevention and patient education.

"The past success of the organization definitely shows us where we can go in the future," she said. "The bottom line is that the need will always be there."